The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-08-25

to eat. Don't reckon he'll get loose
while we're gone"
"Whar we goin'9" asked Boulson.
"W'y, down the road apiece to that
thar ole log shack whar that ole man
lives alone. He'll give us or sell us
somethin, reckon. Mighty glad we
didn't tell him yisterd'y what we was
after in these parts. Now he'll not be
akin no unpleasant questions"
"Don't go there" said the captive,
earnestly.
"W'y not2"'
"Why, because-bccause that old man
is dangerous character. He is liable to
kill or hurt one of you"
"Huhl mighty anxious bout us, haint
yea Wal, we low we kin take care NV
ourselves, eh, Boulsona"
'That's whatw answered that worthy.
''But don't go, say. You'll regret
it if you do" the prisoner went on.
"Young man, best thing you kin do"
said hanks, ''is to tend strickly to yer
own knittin', and well tend to ourn.
Eff yer don't we'll haf ter gag yer"
The prisoner groaned.
A tramp of a mile or more brought
Hanks and Boulson to the little cabin
with its log wall chinked with mud.
The deputy knocked several times be-
fore any reply came. Presently man,
bent with age, opened the door.
"Come in, gentlemen, come in" he
pipcd. Hanks stated their errand
'Toe be sho,' quavercd the old man.
"Toe be sho'. I'm pow'ful sorry KEEP
youns a-waitin' so long. Ben a-settin'
up every night fer week, a-spectin' my
boy, ye see. I'd fell into cat nap"
He hustled about and soon had rude
meal spread on ruder table.
= "Draw up yer cheers, gentlemen, draw
up yer cheers, an fall to. Thar haint
overly much ter eat, but yer welcome ter
wat thar is. Eff my boyd a-come," he
went on, II could ha' gin yer s,lmpin'
better Wen he comes he allus brings
me money an sumpin good ter eat or
wear. Never fcrgits his ole dad," and
the old man chuckled at the recollection.
Must be good feller," mumbled
Hanks" with his mouth full of "pone. u
"Yas, We better believe he isl
answered the old man, eagerly. "Smartest
an best boy 'twixt yere an Californy.
Don't let me want fer nuthin', but jest
keeps me so well fixed that I don't
halter do nothin' but set in the sun an
and smoke. Oh, he's mighty kind to
his ole dad"
The old man bustled to dilapidated
chest in the corner and fumbled IN it for
few moments. Then he trottcd back
again,
''Yere's his pictur, gentlemen, wat
he sent me morn ayear ago."
"Whatw this from both the deputy
and Boulson at once.
The old man did not notice their
startled looks but went on piping the
praises of his son.
"Ya's, that's my boy, that's him.
Thar's the best boy an ole man ever had.
Wy he
"Whar does he live?" asked Hanks.
"Out in Cowley County, Kansas, am
"What's his bus'ness?"
"W'y, he owns ranch thar"
Lowed mebLy he dealt in horses, y
said Hanks, grimly.
'No, not huliy, though he does right
smart with horses"
II knowed it,
"N hat, doyou know him, gentlemen
Eff ye do, yer 'quainted with the best!
hearted feller in seven States; don't car
4 whar yer find 'em."
"No, we don't know him."
"Mighty sorry. Lowed mebby ye
mought. Wal, eff yer see him hurry him
up. Tell him that my old hearts pow.
erful anxious fer him ter come. 'Spected
him fer several days"
The two edged towards the door.
eye don't reckon nuthin's happened
ter my boy, do ye? Eff ennythin' was
ter, b'lieve 'twould jest bust my pore
old heart, shore. He's so good an kind
ter me that hit would jest kill me tel
part with him. Good-byem as they
moved away.
Then he piped after them:
'fEf ye see him, don't fergit ter tel
him that I'm a-waitin' an a-watchin' fel
him."
"We won't fergit," they called back
The deputy and Boulson strobe along
in silence for half mile. Then the for
mer said slowly:
'1t's him, shore"
'You mighty right l' replied the othel
solemnly.
"Hes kind to the ole man," remarked
the deputy in spiritless tone.
"An' the pore ole chap hain't got no,
body but him." added Boulson.
"Said his heart would break eff any
thing happened to his boy, " said Hanks
'rReckon it would too.
''Ole man would starve to death any
how" went on Hanks.
"Reckon he would"
They were silent for several minutes
Then Boulson said apologetically;